White crap growing in Amos' tank

[BettaMomma]

I'm going go go home for the night.
If he's meant to make it through the night, he will.
If he's not, he won't.
I think I've done all I can do for him now, and sitting here staring at him isn't going to make him miraculously recover. I'm sure he knows I'm here, and appreciates it, but I just can't do much more for him, unfortunately.

I've got a friend (and coworker) on call 24/7 to help me with euth. in case I have to do that. (GOD that would be awful) but I'm beginning to wonder if it IS that time. I'm pretty sure I can't do it myself so he said he would help should it come to that. I'd be a basketcase for weeks either way, but at least I could say goodbye and walk away with somewhat happy memories.

I just can't believe that it's come to this.
I really, really thought I was doing a great thing for little Amos boy when I picked up that tank. I was so happy that day.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi BettaMomma

He was such a beauty. But you did what should have been the best for him. There was no way to know.

Some times it's best to euthanize a fish, and that has to be your decision to make. All I know is that I would not kill a fish with as much will to live as Amos has. He is near the end, it seems clear, but I would not deny him the right to decide when it is to be.

Please rest easy knowing you did every thing possible to save him and make him happy. The rest is up to him.

 

[BettaMomma]

Wow, very well said.

I think I will do that - let him decide when it's time. I'll just be there for him if he needs me.

I think it just kind of hit me today that he's probably not going to turn back around because today is the first day since the day I brought him home that he wouldn't eat. I just hope he's not suffering too much.

Poor little guy.
I'll update in the morning.

Thanks, once again.

 

[andrew]

wow....tough topic!!!
these fish are wallmart specials but that isnt the point..my point is that nothing lives forever...memories do...maybe the salt shocked his system a bit...like taking a tang out of a saltwater tank and giving it a freshwater bath...possibility #1

Possibility #2 maybe the heat is too much my heater exploded inside my oscar tank...try to regulate it to about 72-74 degrees and give him some time I think he just may come around if he isnt too far gone


my msn is totally_kane@hotmail.com add me and i'll help you out as much as i can

 

[BettaMomma]

Yeah, it's been a rough ordeal.
I'm completely exhausted just watching the poor little thing struggle to stay alive. I can't imagine how he must feel.

Thanks so much for your offer for help.

As far as the salt shocking his system - he was pretty far gone when I gave him the baths, it was kind of as a last resort. It does look on his body like some of the white stuff and the ick has started to disappear, but he still has very little color and his fins are still deteriorating.

He's to the point where when he scoots along the bottom of the tank, another stringy hunk of his tail falls off and he almost leaves a trail behind him. He has to muster up all the energy he can find to swim to the top of the tank for air, then he comes crashing back down face first onto the bottom of the tank. Therefore I didn't put any gravel in so there'd be less chance of him damaging his lip or eyes when he hit.

I just have one of those little flat mini hydor heaters in his tank - when I left to come home this evening, his temp was about 76 so I think I've done about all I can do as far as his temp goes.

If, by some miraculous stroke of luck he's still alive in the morning I would guess that it would only be a few more days. If you could have seen the digression in him from last night when I left the office at 5 until when I arrived back just before 8 this morning, you'd expect him not to make it thru another night. But, maybe... just maybe the salt baths helped and the melafix helped and he's on the road to recovery.

I really doubt it, but at least I can think that as I go to sleep tonight.

Again, thanks for your offer for help.
I really appreciate everyone that's been trying to help me pull him through.

 

[GrullaQuarters]

Wow Inchworm.....

I agree. Amos has really been fighting this....maybe it would be best to let him decide. Poor guy.

I will be eager to check in tomorrow morning and see what the news is.

 

[andrew]

never know ....after my heater exploded in the oscar's tank he was on his side for hours...was plugged in and everything....didnt notice until i stuck my hand in 93 degree water and got lifted but ( ok you guys can stop laughing now...lol) but I gave him a few more hours and he attacked my cat....so miracles happen....lets hope another one happens here

 

[BettaMomma]

Yep, let's hope.

How ironic is it that your fish jumped out of your tank and attacked your cat?
It was probably sweet justice for all the fish who have been attacked and eaten by cats.

high five your fish for me.

 

[BettaMomma]

OH dear lord -
I have posted 848 times?
eek - yikes

 

[BettaMomma]

I just realized that little Amos had an odd flaring problem - and I was never able to catch it on film. Only one of his gills would flare out when he flared. And for the past couple of months he was a flaring fool. He flared when I got in to work and he swam over to see me - he flared when he saw me getting out the food jar - he flared when I pressed my index finger against the glass. He was even finally making really great little bubblenests.

He's such a sweetheart.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

849.

you just gotta wait and see. here's hoping!

 

[andrew]

lol I hate cats

 

[3fsh]

I am so sorry to hear that Amos is getting worse. To be completely honest with you, I didn't think he had much time left after he started laying on his side and gasping for air. The only thing I can think of that might help him now is to continue the salt baths and to also (if possible) lower his water as much as you can so that he can get air from the surface more easily and not have to exert so much energy to get to the top of the tank. I know what it's like to have a sick little baby... my little fancy guppy girl finally let go last night. The other female that was in with her doesn't look like she's going to make it either. Gosh, they feel like family! I don't even think of them as fish anymore... I think of them as my little babies. I'm praying that little Amos will either make a full recovery or that he will have a quick and pain-free death knowing that he had a mommy who loved him very much.

 

[reg2k2]

I seem to remember hearing that Melafix can be harmful to bettas (and other labyrinth fish). Now, this may be complete myth...or... perhaps it only adversely affects some. I don't know. But, I would suggest at next water change, you omit the Melafix....could always dose it later, if you feel it's a better way to go. Just a thought...

How often are you changing water now?..you mention 4-5days

Hope he makes it thru...

 

[BettaMomma]

Well guys....

Unfortunately he didn't make it thru the night.
I'm going to be a complete puddle today.

Thanks EVERYONE for helping me try to save him.
He was a very special little guy, and he will be VERY sadly missed.